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On This Day in 1998: England face shoot-out heartache in eventful Argentina clash

England went out of the World Cup at France 98, but their exit provided plenty of memories.

It was becoming a familiar tale by this stage that England were struggling with penalty shoot-outs as they lost this one to Argentina, but if you were a neutral then this last-16 game at the World Cup in France in 1998 was a thriller.

The game finished 2-2 after extra-time but there were three goals inside the opening 20 minutes including one very memorable strike.

England hit back pretty quickly when Michael Owen was brought down in the opposite area, with Alan Shearer bringing Glenn Hoddle's side back on level terms.

Owen, then just 18, would produce one of the most memorable goals at a World Cup when he took on several players before finishing in the top corner. No description does it justice, so here is the video if it below:

England could not see it out until half time as Javier Zanetti finished off a well executed move from a free-kick to level up the score.

David Beckham became the villain of the piece in the second half when he was sent off for kicking out at Simeone. England managed to create more chances, and Sol Campbell thought he had won it but his header was controversially ruled out.

So it headed to penalties, and England got an early advantage when Hernan Crespo had his spot-kick saved but that was levelled up moments later as Paul Ince was denied from the spot.

Ultimately it would come down to the last penalty which saw David Batty's spot-kick saved, sending England out of the tournament in what was a familiar fashion.

Ian Bolland

A journalism graduate of Liverpool John Moores University. During his time at university, Ian spent time on work experience at local newspapers in Liverpool, Bolton and Wigan, and prior to that he did work for The Observer's 'fans verdict'. Ian also has interests in news, current affairs and business but mostly sport, including football, rugby league, cricket, golf and Formula 1, amongst others.